Washing machine agitator



Mar ch24,1942. ERHART I 2,277,087 I WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR Filed Oct. 29, 1940 V Inventor f rr Patented Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in washing machine agitators, and the object of the invention is to provide an agitator which also serves to divide the tub of the washing machine into a plurality of compartments to the end that several compartments will be provided in the tub to accommodate different types of garments to be laundered; the arrangement being such that, for example, a compartment is provided for delicate, sheer articles of apparel and the like, while a second compartment is provided for accommodating heavier articles, such as blankets and the like, and a third compartment is provided for accommodating articles of a character different from either of the two mentioned items.

A further object of the invention is to provide an agitator of this character wherein the parts thereof forming the walls or partitions embody removable sections of reticulated material to the end that such sections, when damaged, can be easily replaced, when in use will permit a thorough flow of the water or a cleansing fluid insure a thorough laundering of the contents of the tub.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an agitator emboclying the features of the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a side elevational View thereof with certain parts broken away and shown in section.

Referring more in detail to the drawing it will be seen that the agitator embodies a central post or stem 5 from which radiate a plurality, in the present instance three, vanes 6 equi-distantly spaced and of material dimensions.

The lower edges of the vanes B are convex or rounded as shown to conform to the usual concave shape of the bottom of the tub of the washing machine, while the outer vertical edges of the vanes are straight so as to conformably contact the peripheral walls of the washing machine tub and thus provide with said walls three separate and distinct compartments whereby the contents of the tub may be separated according to desire and retained in separated groups during the laundering operation.

Also each of the vanes 6 is provided with a through the several compartments and thereby removable insert 1 that is in the nature of a frame of wood, metal, or other suitable material in which is mounted a sheet 8 of screening or other reticulated material.

To accommodate its insert 7, each vane-6 is provided with a substantially U-shaped slot opening through the top of the vane, with the edges of the vane defining the slot being provided with grooves 9 to accommodate the side and bottom members of the frame I as shown.

Thus it will be seen that through the medium of this agitator the interior of the tub will be divided into three separate and distinct compartments, and with the agitator rotating or oscillating, as the case may be, the washing fluid will be' forced through the interstices in the screens 8 and through the clothes or other articles in each compartment. Hence the clothes, or other articles will be cleaned in an easy and expeditious manner, while at the same time various types of articles may be maintained in the tub separate from other types of articles or the like constituting the contents of the tub.

It is thought that the simplicity of the invention, together with its many advantages will be clear to those skilled in the art without further detailed description.

While I have herein illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

An agitator for washing machines embodying a central post having vanes extending radially therefrom, and each of said vanes having an open portion therein extending downwardly from the upper edge of the vane, the edges of the vane which define the sides and inner end of said open portion being provided with grooves, a frame having a sliding fit in said slot with the sides and one end member of the frame being seated in said grooves, and a sheet of reticulated material mounted in the frame, said sheet-carrying frame being insertible and removable from the open portion by movement thereof in a line parallel to the axis of said post.

MARY A. ERHART. 

